Bayern München’s president Uli Hoeneß fights for his hobby-horse basketball and takes the two public service TV stations ARD and ZDF into his duty.
“Certain games that are important for the future of basketball in Germany have to be put on free TV,” Hoeneß said in an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, saying:”I have the feeling that there is not enough support from the public sector.
Now that they are losing more and more football rights, it could be a chance to lead other sports such as basketball, but also handball, maybe even ice hockey to the top,”said the 65-year-old.
It is not necessarily the task of the public law community to constantly target audience ratings, he said,”I give them so much money in return: that they also bring a variety of sports and opinions to television. They are not dependent on whether there are a few more spectators or less,”Hoeneß explained.
For the basketball players of FC Bayern Bayern, the 65 year old has so far drawn a positive season conclusion before the top game against Brose Bamberg:”The goals we have set ourselves have been achieved. We are qualified for the next round of the European Cup, and I hope that we will lead the standings in the Bundesliga in the winter months,”said Hoeneß.
Before the match on Sunday at 5.30 p. m. he considers his team and not series champions Bamberg “to be his favorite. I see our team in front,”Hoeneß also announced.
The financial reorientation is helping the association to achieve this goal:”There is more money available in that the management is now being led on a long leash, not on the short one. Previously, more than 5,000 euros were discussed for a long time – today, players are called in and then I get the money if necessary. However, the maxim is still that the basketball department carries itself. This has always been successful in recent years,”Hoeneß said.